Word count; 3797

Notes at the bottom

*Crying/upset Charlie warning.

CHAPTER 31:

He was nervous, she should have been here by now. Bass checked the boat one last time and restlessly paced alongside the dingy. "Will you calm down." Connor's hand grabbed his arm and forced him to stand still. "She's fine, she'll be here." Loud enough for Bass to hear but soft enough so that Miles couldn't.

There was a rustling of leaves and a strange sound that made all three men turn to the edge of the clearing. Charlie. She was coming out from between the trees, her hand was covering her mouth and her eyes were red and teary. "Charlie." Miles stepped past him and grabbed his niece "Charlie, are you okay? Where are you hurt." Bass noticed the blood on the front of Charlie's shirt as well and his heart skipped a beat, please let her be okay.

"Not mine." Those were the best words he heard all day and he could breathe again. She was still looking completely distraught though and he wanted to know why. "Where's Jason?" Bass only then noticed that the younger man wasn't with her and he caught the desperate look in her eyes. "Dead." The pain in that one word nearly brought him to his knees. Hurt evident in her eyes and he pushed his anger and jealousy for the young Neville to the back of his mind and just felt for her.

She was choking on her words but Miles didn't seem to register, then again Miles wasn't one to read hints like that, you had to clock him over the head with them before he got it. "Shame, he was of good use." Bass saw the renewed waterfall of tears streaking Charlie's face and he unconsciously moved a step towards her. Their eyes connected and he could read all the pain, hurt and desperation in those cerulean orbs of hers. He did his best to convey his sympathies through his gaze, knowing that was all he could do.

Then, to his surprise, she stepped around her uncle and took those final steps towards him before collapsing against his chest. For a second he didn't move, Miles was mere feet away but the feel of her trembling form against his, her tears soaking into his shirt he didn't care any longer. If she didn't mind the public display then he was fine with whatever. Bass wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, his hands grabbing her jacket and her hands fisting his shirt. Mouth coming to a rest against her temple and he placed the softest of kisses against her skin.

It was as if it was too much for her and he followed her as she sank to her knees, helping her stay upright he pulled her against his chest. Her face was buried against him and he felt hot tears streak his neck and soak his shirt collar, he didn't care. He buried one of his hands in her long locks "Shhhh, baby." He whispered into her ear, his hand stroking her back "Shhh." Softly he kept caressing her as she cried in his arms. "It'll be okay."

Bass wished he knew the right words to say, he'd never been in this position before and he didn't think glib words would help her. He should have paid more attention to his parents comforting his sisters, maybe then he had known what to say to make Charlie feel better. "It's gonna be okay." He repeated and he ran his fingers through her long hair. She was leaning against him, sobs wrecking her body and his heart ached at so much exposed pain.

He closed his eyes and just held her, he would sit here, like this, for hours if she needed him to. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, baby." He pulled back slightly and cupped her tear streaked face in his hands. "I killed him." She sobbed and tightened her grip on his shirt. "He was... the patriots... tattoo. I just... he threatened me... warned him. Had to." Her words were jumbled and incoherent but he got the gist of it. She'd killed him in self defense after he went zombie-patriot on her. "Shhhh." He hushed again "You did what you had to."

"I killed him, Bass. I killed him." Her eyes closed and he caressed his thumbs across he cheeks to wipe away a few tears "I know, I know." He soothed her "You had to. I know you, if there had been any other option. You did the only thing possible." He wished he could take her pain away. He wished he'd been there to be the one who shot Jason, just so she could be mad at him instead of broken like she was now. He'd rather see her pissed than like this.

From the corner of his eye he saw Connor was offering him a canteen filled with water and he took it gratefully, one hand still on her face. "Drink." He gently ordered and brought the canteen to her lips. Charlie hesitantly took a few sips but it seemed to calm her down somewhat. "Some more." He urged when she wanted to hand him back the canteen.

When she had taken a few more sips he gently wiped the tears from her face. Eyes still read and breathing still stuttery but she was starting to calm down, the tears subsiding slowly. "Wanna tell me what happened?" Her eyes caught his and with a shaky voice she explained how she had seen Jason go into a building and how she had followed him. Bass listened as she told the story of what had happened when she'd caught up with him in the building and he helped her up as she talked.

Charlie reached for the canteen he was holding and he gladly handed it to her "Bit better?" He asked, knowing full well it would be a while before she was up to par but he just wanted to make sure she wasn't completely desperate anymore. Relief flooded through him when she nodded her head "A little." She replied "It's just.. I knew him. Before... I even... He didn't deserve to go like that, Bass. Jason made his mistakes and he was influenced by his father on too many occasions but he didn't deserve to die for a cause not his own, not even in control of his own actions." Bass nodded and tucked a stray lock behind her ear. "I know. He didn't deserve any of it, but Charlotte," He forced her to look him in the eye "You did the right thing. You did the only thing you could do and I'm not sorry you're alive."

Her eyes closed for a second and when they opened he could see she knew he was telling the truth. "I know. He was coming at me and I had no other choice, he was so strong, Bass." The older man nodded and screwed the cap back on the canteen "He was expertly trained by the Patriots, Charlie. He was brainwashed and determined to do whatever they told him to, the only reason you're here now is because you're a damn good fighter and one lucky woman." She gave the slightest chuckle and placed her hand on his cheek "Thanks, Bass." He grinned back at her "Anytime."

"Somebody, please tell me what. the. hell. is going on!" Bass felt Charlie tense as they were reminded that both Connor, and more importantly, Miles had been watching the whole time. Miles was met with silence. "Bass! Wanna tell me why the fuck you're all over my niece? And while we're at it, Charlie, wanna tell me why he still has all his fingers, even though most of them have touched you at some point the past fifteen minutes?"

Miles was angry, as Bass had expected him to be. On the other hand he was grateful that his old friend showed constrain by not shooting him on the spot. He saw the panicked look on Charlie's face and briefly took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, giving her a reassuring look. Then he stepped towards Miles "Not here, come with me." And proceeded to drag the other man out of the clearing and and into the tree line so they could neither be seen nor heard by the two younger people.

The other man protested and tried to pull free from Bass' grasp but Bass wouldn't let him. Charlie had had enough shit for one day, he wasn't about to let her witness him throwing down with her uncle.

When Bass felt they were at enough of a distance from Connor and Charlie he let go of Miles' arm and turned to face the other man "Look, Miles..." But before he could say anything else the other man punched him in the face. He felt his lip split and the copper taste of blood on his tongue, damn but Miles had a jaw-busting right hook. Bass allowed Miles to get in two or three more punches before he felt that the other man got enough of a payback and he blocked Miles' punch and shoved back hard. "Knock it off, Miles."

The other man fumed "Knock it off? Knock it off! I'll fucking knock you into next week, you bastard." Miles advanced once more, throwing punch after punch, honestly trying to hurt Bass. Bass gave as good as he got, blocking and returning Miles' punches and kicks like they had been trained for since they were eighteen.

It seemed like hours they went at each other, punching, kicking, hitting and slamming each other to the ground but in reality mere minutes passed. Bruises formed and lips were split as they fought, no holding back on either part. When Bass felt that Miles was starting to tire he was glad because he feared he hadn't been able to keep his defenses up for much longer. He felt the fight leave Miles' body and his own followed. A serenity dawned on him and he saw the same calm in his friends brown eyes. Maybe this was what they had needed for so long, needed to get all the anger and hostility out before they could continue this crazy journey of theirs.

"How could you, Bass. She's my family."

"Oh, so you DO care about her? Coulda fooled me, Miles." Bass sighed back, pointing out the fact that the past few weeks Miles nor Rachel had really given Charlie a lot of thought. "What the hell do you mean. I care about her, she's my niece... what the hell have you been doing to her? What did you do to her?!" Bass snorted "Well then maybe you and Rachel should actually show that you care! You and her have been so caught up in each other that you've hardly given Charlie the time of day. And when you do talk to her, especially Rachel, it's only to chastise her."

Miles reeled back "That's not true!" But Bass could see in his eyes that his friend finally realized that yes, they had been ignoring Charlie. "Charlie is a big girl, she can take care of herself." Miles argued and Bass shook his head "She is, that doesn't mean that sometimes she doesn't like being taken care of." The other man snorted "And that's what you've been doing, taking care of her. What, you and Connor take turns or something?" Miles' tone was sneering and before he even realized it Bass kicked Miles' knee, sending him to the ground and followed up with a punch to his face. He grabbed Miles' collar and growled "Don't you EVER talk about her like that!"

Bass fought to get his rage under control and shoved Miles away before he could do him anymore damage. "You can say any crap you want about me, Miles but you leave her out of it." Bass could see that Miles was assessing the situation, still not sure what to make of this. "So what, you and her got close because she's sleeping with your son?"

Bass felt slightly sorry for his friend because even though Miles' words were clinging to the hope that it was Connor Charlie had been sleeping with, in the narrowed brown eyes of his friend he could see that Miles knew the truth. "No." There was no point in hiding the truth from Miles any more. "No, it's not Connor who's been sleeping with Charlie." Miles fumed "Then you fucking stop! You stay the hell away from her from now on!"

"No." Bass' answer was calm "No, I told you once before, different context but the same result. I'm not leaving her, and you can't make me."

"You son of a bitch." Miles stepped forward and grabbed Bass collar fiercely. "You were my best friend. She's my niece! You're twice her age, you were responsible for the death of her father, her brother! You're a murderer, a crazy person. You're completely out of control. You're..."

"In love with her!" Blue and brown eyes widened comically at that confession and Miles let got of Bass jacket like he got burned. Fuck, he hadn't meant to say that out loud to his former best friend. His goose was well and truly cooked right now. "You're WHAT?!". "I'm in love with her, Miles." Bass voice was soft now and he ran a hand through his hair and over his face, there was no point in crawling back now, he knew Miles had heard him say the words loud and clear. "Fuck. I know all that. I know there probably isn't anyone on this nightmare we call earth that is more wrong for her than me, but I love her, Miles." His old friend was eyeing his weirdly, scrutinizing him as if Miles was trying to determine if Bass was lying or not.

"In love with her?" Bass nodded "Are you insane?!" Miles spat. "Bat-shit crazy." Bass confirmed. "But that doesn't change anything." Miles snorted "This changes EVERYTHING, Bass. You and Charlie... this is insane. Everything that happened, she should hate you! Her dad, her brother... Rachel... fuck, Rachel is going to go ballistic! Since when?" The former General wasn't really sure he wanted to answer that but he figured since he'd confessed to Miles the man was entitled to the entire story. "Since about right after we and the mercs joined you at the old barn. It just... happened, Miles. And for your information, she kissed me first, not the other way around. We didn't plan it, in the beginning it was just sex." Miles growled and once more advanced on the other man "You son of a bitch! Putting your hands on my kid-niece!"

"She hasn't been a 'kid' in a long time, Miles. Maybe things would be better if both you AND Rachel realized that fact." Bass deflected Miles' fist again and stepped around a tree to keep sufficient distance between him and his friend. "Charlie is very capable to make her own decisions. Granted, maybe being with me isn't her brightest one but I'm not gonna do anything to deter her from that."

Miles huffed but settled down, his hands falling to his sides and Bass relaxed a bit. "I don't wanna hear about you banging my ... Let's just stick to the non-sexual facts, okay..." Miles took a deep breath and then glared at Bass "That long? How the hell have you been keeping this a secret for so long, how come we all thought she was sleeping with Connor. Why the hell didn't any of you corrected us when we talked about Charlie and Connor." Suddenly Miles realized something "You let him sleep... I mean lie with her after we got attacked, why?"

"Because she needed the body heat. Because she was hurt and cold and there was no fucking way Rachel, you or Gene would have let me be the one to lie down with her." Bass kept his eyes on Miles, alert should the man lash out again but all the other man did was nod for him to continue explaining why he was with Charlie.

Bass nodded his head "Like I said, at first it wasn't about feelings, it was just, convenient. It's all her fault anyway." He sighed. "I never stood a chance, Miles. But since she convinced you to join her to hunt down her brother I suspect you know a thing or two about not being able to resist those blue eyes of hers." Miles sighed "She has her mothers eyes."

"Thank god that's about all she inherited from Rachel." Bass mumbled. "Screw you, Bass." Miles shot back. "You don't know Rachel." The blond shook his head "I know her just fine, Miles, I spent years with her in the same house. I know she left her kids behind. I know she could have given me what I wanted and no one would have gotten hurt but she didn't want the nanites to be shut off for Danny. I know an entire world suffered because of not even a handful of people she felt were more important than billions of others. I know she shoved a screw driver into the chest of a man she called her 'friend' to save her own hide. I know she manipulates, criticizes and judges to her own misplaced morals and feelings of superiority." He raised his head and looked into Miles' eyes "I see all the things she is that you so delightfully ignore in favor of what? A few minutes in a field."

"What about you?" It was Miles turn now "You have done a lot of shit in your life, do you really think Charlie will just forgive and forget?" Bass smiled ruefully "She already has, Miles. Charlie knows I've changed, just like she has changed in the past few months." The other man snorted but Bass saw Miles knew "You haven't changed that much, Bass. You're still ruthless, still volatile and you still act without thinking things through properly."

"So are you, Miles. The only reason you think you're not is because Rachel is holding you back. She is, Miles, she's clouding your judgment. Yes, you've killed less people but what has that gotten you? Nowhere good. You let kids live because Rachel and Gene feel like they are morally superior to you and me and what happened? One killed her father and the other nearly took Charlie's life."

Miles' eyes widened "That's why you were so angry with me? That's why you sucker punched me, because you and her..." He trailed off, not able to say the words and Bass nodded. "I know she can handle herself, Miles but in this instant she shouldn't have had to. The kid should have never been allowed to leave the camp alive, and if anything could be learned from what happened with her and Jason... These 'kids' as Gene and Rachel insist on calling them, they're killers, Miles. Hell, Jason knew Charlie, he cared for her, maybe even loved her and even that couldn't stop him from nearly killing her. We need to take action, we need to take the gloves off and hit them head on. We need to not care about the age of the person we shoot because they sure as shit don't care about us, Miles."

"You're right."

"You're not listening to me Miles, it's time to... wait, what." Bass finally registered Miles words and they left him speechless for a moment. "You're right, Bass. Those Patriots are more dangerous than we thought, more vicious. They can brainwash people and even have them kill people they care about. I'm not gonna fight you on it any more, those kids... we need to take them down. But, stop changing the subject. You and my niece, what gives."

Bass leaned against a tree and sighed "I don't know. I honestly don't know. Rachel is gonna go nuts when she finds out, to be honest, I'm surprised that you're taking this so well." His friend grimaced "Don't get me wrong, I don't like it one bit but I'll just comfort myself with the knowledge that she'll either snap out of it or you break her heart and I get to put a bullet in your skull."

"What if nothing goes wrong?" Bass' words were soft and he looked Miles dead in the eyes. "What if me and Charlie, for some... insane, twisted reason really work. What if she doesn't tire of me, what if I don't break her heart?" Miles sighed "She's twenty two, Bass... you're forty three. In todays world you're already an old man, she's a young woman in the prime of her life." Bass nodded "I know. I know I have no right to keep her to myself but you know me, Miles. I'm a selfish man and I'm gonna take every day, every second she's willing to give to me."

Miles looked at his friend and Bass saw that Miles actually believed him. He wasn't happy about it but Miles wouldn't do anything to rip them apart. "So, you figured out when you're gonna tell Rachel?" Bass snorted "I'm gonna let Charlotte handle that one. I'm thinking me and my family jewels want to be as far away from Rachel and any sharp tools as possible when she find out I've been..." Miles chuckled "diddling her daughter?" The former General snorted "You think she'd let me keep my balls if I tell her that it's her daughter who started said diddling?"

The dark haired man groaned "What did I tell you about too much information, Bass. Keep it to yourself."

"Hey man, you started in about the diddling. I just followed." Miles grimaced "This is fucked up. I remember we used to talk about all the women we banged to each other, compared noted and now you're actually... doing my niece." Bass barked out a laugh "Then stop asking me, just remain blissfully ignorant on the subject."

They had come to a mutual understanding. Miles wasn't going to do anything about him being with Charlie and Bass would try and refrain from saying lewd things about the man's niece. It was starting to get late and when Bass stomach growled they decided to join the others and start on their journey home, or what at the moment acted as their home.

"Miles," Bass called out before they got to close to Charlie and Connor. "Leave Charlotte alone on this, don't give her shit... also, you tell Charlotte any of that 'I'm in love with her' stuff... I'll murder you in your sleep. She doesn't need to know the extent of her hold on me. She's enough of a pain in the ass as is"

So, I assume you're all like me and follow Revolution news religiously... I also assume you've heard the worst news a Revo-holic could get... those bastards are canceling our beloved show. I opened IMDB in my browser and there is was... NBC Canceling Revolution (and some other shows that I don't give a flying fuck about)

I know we were all mentally preparing ourselves for that since the ratings were shite this season but I was still desperately grasping that last, tiny bit of hope... that just got slammed into the ground.

This is the reason I'm updating tonight. I was planning on waiting til tomorrow but I just got soooo depressed and figured you all must be too so I wanted to throw out another chapter tonight.

You could also see interest waning on the Fiction sites because a lot of writers haven't been updating at all (which pisses me off btw, I hate unfinished stories.) I, for one, am not abandoning my stories for the moment. I don't know if my muses will hold up enough for me to keep writing revolution stories but I give you my solemn vow that this one is 100% getting finished in good fashion!

I also started the no-blackout AU and have some other ideas and since I have Revo season 1 on Blu I can just revisit to get some more inspiration. I hope you guys are sticking with me?!

Love you all,

Marisa